Toby Greene will be a typically magnetic presence in Saturday’s AFL grand final but the GWS star will be spurred on by an intensely personal tragedy.

Greene spoke on Friday of his determination to win a premiership in memory of his cousin Finley, who took his own life in June.

The pair spent much of their childhood together.

Greene’s mother Kate was interviewed on radio 3AW earlier in the week and spoke of the family’s devastation when Finley died aged 20.

“It was obviously a really tragic thing that happened during the year,” Greene said at the grand-final parade.

“I sort of kept it quiet but mum spoke about it a bit during this week.

“My cousin and their family, we were really close with them our whole childhood. So it was a very sad time.

“Hopefully, we can make him smile tomorrow.”

Greene said the tragedy had taken its toll during the season.

“I was coming back to Melbourne a couple of times to come and see family,” he said.

“The club were really supportive about that.

“At the same time, it made me appreciate what I’ve got and try to make him smile as the year’s gone on.”

A relaxed Greene said he was enjoying the build-up to the premiership decider after a “bloody stressful” previous week.

Greene was suspended for the preliminary final against Collingwood and mounted a last-ditch appeal which was rejected.

Having been cast as the villain for Saturday’s grand final, the polarising forward shrugged off criticism of his combative playing style.

“I don’t take too much interest in it, to be honest,” he said.

“I know what the people who I’m around (think) – that’s all I care about.

“I’ve got lots of people being really supportive this week and coming up and saying hello. From all I’ve heard, it’s all positive feedback.”

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